Speed change system for torpedoes



T. A. DALY ETAL SPEED CHANGE SYSTEM FOR TORPEDOES July 24, 1962 Filed Dec. 23, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (D ID to a INVENTORS THOMAS A. DALY SHERMAN B. HALL ATTORNEYS July 24, 1962 V T. A. DALY ETAL SPEED CHANGE SYSTEM FOR TORPEDOES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 23, 1953 INVENTORS THOMAS A. DALY SHERMAN B. HALL United States Patent SP EED CHANGE SYSTEM FOR TORPEDOES Thomas A. Daly, Swarthmore, and Sherman B. Hall,

Sharon, Pa., assignors, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Dec. 23, 1953, Ser. No. 400,148 4 Claims. (Cl. 114-20) This invention relates to torpedoes and more particularly to improvements in speed controls for same.

In torpedoes of the type propelled by an electric battery source of energy, the range thereof is a function of its speed, that is, if the speed is decreased the range is increased and vice versa, US. Patent 2,604,556 discloses a torpedo of the type just referred to in which a switch is provided to manually selectively set the torpedo, prior to launching, for low or high speed operation, this being attained by placing two batteries in either series or parallel in the propulsion motor circuit. In an acoustical homing torpedo, such as the one to be subsequently described, the low speed range, in addition to enabling the torpedo to be fired at greater ranges, also enables the torpedo to make a greater number of reattacks and since, the self noise level of the torpedo propulsion mechanism is lower at low speed, this setting enhances the possibility ofattack on relatively quiet targets.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for effecting low or high speed torpedo operation during its entire run.

Another object is to provide a torpedo adapted to operate at low speed after launching, the speed automatically changing to high speed when a target is intercepted.

Another object is to provide a torpedo adapted to operate in accordance with the foregoing object and change back to low speed if the target is lost.

Another object is to provide an electrical switching system which interlocks sets of contactors and prevents any possibility of a battery short circuit.

Another object is to provide the contactors with dampers for preventing premature closing.

Further objects, advantages and salient features will become more apparent from the description to follow, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing, in which:

-FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a torpedo embodying the subject of the invention, portions being broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken on line 2-2, portions being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2, portions being broken away; and

FIG. 4 is the electrical circuit employed.

Referring in detail to the drawing, torpedo T is of any conventional acoustical homing type, the propellers P of which are rotated by a suitable direct current electric motor M, supplied by a storage battery comprising two sections B21, B22 of equal voltage and capacity. When the battery sections are electrically connected in series with the motor the torpedo operates at high or increased speed and when connected in parallel it operates at low or reduced speed.

The contacto-rs K21, K22 which effect the connections aforesaid are substantial duplicates and hence a description of one will serve for both. Parallel contactor K22 comprises a support 10 rigidly afiixed to any suitable fixed structure 11 within the torpedo, this support having a solenoid 12 affixed thereto and carrying an armature 13 adapted to pivot about a knife edge 14 which rests on a bracket 15 rigidly secured to support 10. A compression spring 16 is disposed between the upper end of the bracket and a foot 17 affixed to the armature and ice biases the armature in a clockwise direction about its knife edge pivot.

A contact support 18 is afiixed to the upper end of the armature and comprises an abutment 19 and a pair of spaced ears 20, 21 between which a pivot pin 22 extends. Oontact carriers 23, 24 are carried by the pivot pin and biased for counterclockwise rotation about same by compression springs 25, 26 disposed between the abutment and the carriers. Contacts 27, 28 are carried by carriers 23, 24, respectively, and in the position shown, make electrical connections with mating contacts 29, 30 the latter being rigidly secured to a bracket 31, aflixed to frame 11. The armature is provided with a depending portion 32 which loosely extends through a rectangular slot 33 in bracket 15, the walls of the slot and spring 16 retaining the armature in operative position. A damper weight 34 is afiixed to the lower end of the depending portion and serves to prevent premature closing of the contacts due to vibration or shock.

Contactor K21 is a substantial duplicate of the contactor just described, like parts being designated by corresponding reference numerals with subscript. Only one set of contacts 27a, 29a are required, however, but two sets may be employed, if desired, the contacts of both sets being wired in parallel. The two contactors are disposed symmetrically to axis A of the torpedo.

The lower ends of weights 34, 34a are provided with confronting projections 35, 35a which carry pivot pins 36, 36a, respectively connected by an adjustable length interlock link L to now be described. The bifurcated portion of a clevis 37 is pivotally connected to pin 36, its shank portion 38 threadedly engaging a clevis 39, the bifurcated portions of the latter being provided with aligned elongated slots 40 in which pin 36a may slide. It will be apparent that when the armatures of the contactors are in the position shown in FIG. 2, interlock link L positively prevents armature 13a from moving to a position to close its contacts. Similarly, when armature 13a is in its closed position armature 13 is in its open position and prevented from moving toward closed position. Any suitable insulators 1 electrically insulate the various contacts so far described from their supports and carriers.

In the operation of the device so far described, it will now be assumed that the torpedo is set for low speed operation, with contactor K22 closed and contactor K21 open, as shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 4, current flows from the positive terminal of battery section B21, through wire 50, motor M, wires 51, 52, contacts 27, 29, and wires 53, 54 to the negative terminal of battery B21. Current also flows from the positive terminal of battery section B22 through wires 55, 56, contacts 30, 28, wire 57, wire 50, motor M, and wire 51 to the negative terminal of battery section B22. The battery sections are therefore in parallel with the motor.

Assuming, now, that K22 is open and K21 closed, current flows from the positive terminal of battery section B21 through wire 50, motor M, wire 51 to the negative terminal of battery B22, through battery B22, wires 55, 58, contacts 27a, 29a and wire 54 to the negative terminal of battery section B21. The battery sections are therefore in series with the motor.

The solenoid actuators of contactors K21, and K22 are electrically connected by wires 60, 61, 62 to the negative terminal of a battery 63. Wires 64, 65 selectively connect the actuators to the positive terminal of battery 63 by circuits to now be described. The movable contacts of switches 66, 67 are connected, respectively, to wires 64, 65 and are adapted to be conjointly moved to any one-of three positions, Lo, Lo-Hi or Hi by an electrical actuator 68 disposed in the torpedo and controlled remotely through wires 69 which terminate at a control station outside of the torpedo. When the switches are disposed in L or Hi position the torpedo will operate at either low or high speed throughout its entire run. With the switches in L0 position, as shown, current flows from the positive terminal of battery 63 through wires 69, 70, 71, switch 66, and wire 64, completing the circuit to contactor K22 and hence closing its contacts for efiecting the parallel battery circuit previously described.

Assuming, now, that these switches are moved to Hi position, current flows from the positive terminal of battery 63 through wires 69, '72, 73, switch 67, and wire 65, completing the circuit to contactor K21 and hence closing its contacts for effecting the series battery circuit previously described.

In the third position of Lo-Hi which may also be preselected before launching, the torpedo changes speed automatically after being launched. The circuitry to effect the foregoing comprises contacts K104 of an acoustic enabling relay which close when acoustic guidance system 74 is energized. After the guidance system is energized and after it has detected a target for a predetermined time, normally closed contacts K5a of a relay controlled by the guidance system open, opening contactor K22, closing normally open contacts K105b to close contactor K21, whereupon the torpedo shifts from low to high speed. If the target is subsequently lost 'for more than a predetermined time, contacts K105b open and contacts K105a close, thus changing the speed back to low speed until the guidance system again picks up the target as previously described.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. In a torpedo of the type having an electric propulsion motor and an electric storage battery comprising two sections of equal voltage, an electric circuit for selectively connecting the sections in parallel or series with the motor, whereby it may operate at low or high speed, respectively, the improvements in combination comprising; a normally open parallel circuit contactor and a normally open series circuit contactor carried within the torpedo, each having contacts forming a part of said circuit, each contactor having a solenoid for closing its contacts when energized, and a circuit Within the torpedo having 'a three position switch therein for each solenoid; the first position for effecting parallel connection of the battery sections; the second position for effecting series connection of the battery sections, an electric circuit adapted to be energized at a remote station outside of the torpedo for conjointly moving the switches to either of said positions; and a third position in which the battery sections may be connected in either series or parallel under control of a torpedo guidance system carried by the torpedo.

2. In a torpedo of the type having an electric propulsion motor and an electric storage battery comprising two sections of equal voltage, an electric circuit for selectively connecting the sections in parallel or series with the motor, whereby it may operate at'low or high speed, respectively, the improvements in combination comprising; a normally open parallel circuit contactor and a normally open series circuit contactor carried within the torpedo, each having contacts forming a part of said circuit, each contactor having a solenoid for closing its contacts when energized, and a mechanical interlock for preventing closing of the contacts of both contactors in event both solenoids are energized at the same time.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein each solenoid operates a swingable armature, movement of Which a certain position closes the contactor contacts, the armatures each having a depending swingable member taflixed thereto, said members being connected by a linkage system constructed and arranged to prevent the closing of both contactors, at the same time.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said members is provided with a weight for damping movement of its associated armature.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,312,510 Baker Aug. 12, 1919 1,324,194 Harries Dec. 9, 1919 2,411,828 Hammond Nov. 26, 1946 2,425,190 Johnson et al. Aug. 5, 1947 2,604,556 Daly July 22, 1952 2,755,354 Dehn et -al July 17, 1956 

